This study aimed to investigate the effect of ethyl acetate extract of Cocos nucifera (EAECN) on physiological parameters and xylene-induced topic inflammation. EAECN was obtained from the water of the green coconut husk fiber and the phytochemical test indicated the presence of condensed tannins, flavanones, flavonols, xanthones and steroids. EAECN was orally administered to Swiss mice at a single daily dose of 10, 30, 100 and 250 mg Kg-1 during five consecutive days for toxicity and topic inflammation protocols. Toxicity experiments included the observation of heart and respiratory frequencies, diarrhea, analgesia and apathy, besides total leukocyte count in peripheral blood, macroscopic evaluation of the organs, and relative weight of kidneys, liver, thymus and spleen. The effect of EAECN on topic inflammation was assessed using test groups with different EAECN concentrations and positive control groups which received, by the same route and conditions, NaCl 0.9%, DMSO 5% or reference drug, Dexamethasone (6 mg Kg-1). All the animals received the phlogistic agent (25 µL) in the inner and outer parts of the ears two hours after the last treatment, whereas the negative control group animals did not receive any treatment. At 50 minutes after xylene application, the animals were sacrificed and a portion of each of their ears was removed and weighed. The difference between ear weights represents the effect induced by the treatments. EAECN did not develop toxicity, change leukocyte total count, or alter animal weight and organ relative weight in treated animals compared with control groups. EAECN did not inhibit the xylene-induced inflammation, demonstrating dose-dependent pro-inflammatory effect. In conclusion, EAECN used as in these experimental protocols is not toxic and does not have topic anti-inflammatory activity.
Cocos nucifera; xylene; topic inflammation; toxicity; physiological parameters
